Chapter 4

 The next day Sarah had just bent to pick up some broken glass when her doorbell rang , making her cut herself. Sucking in a sharp breath , she quickly drew back her hand , relieved to see the cut was only small. She already had a lump on her head where the heavy gold picture frame had toppled onto her as she was adjusting it.

 But all that was forgotten when she opened the door and found the stunning virile Alexandre Flynn standing there, dressed in a dark business suit that fits snugly into his body as if it were a labor of love.

 " I heard breaking glass, "he said without preamble, his gaze taking in the orange burst silk tunic over grey pants , down to her orange sandals, as if looking for injury. There was more in the look than necessary and she fought not to react . But her skin quivered anyway . That look was too alluring and seductive. . .too physical. . .

 And then she remembered who this man was and what he wanted from her . At the very least he wanted money.

 At the worst. . .

 She forced aside her apprehension and sent him a cold look. " How did you get in here? We have a security code you know . It's supposed to keep out stray and unwanted guests. "

 "I have my ways , "he said dismissively, with all the arrogance of someone rich enough to get anything he wanted. "The broken glass? "he reminded her.

 She raised one shoulder . "A frame fell off the wall. "

 His eyes sharpened with a concern that was at odds with the forbidding set of jaw. "Are you hurt? "

 For a moment she was tempted to lie . "A small cut , that's all." Nonchalantly she lifted her finger to show him, but when she saw how much blood covered the tissue she gasped.

 He swore . "Sarah ,that is no small cut, "he muttered reaching for her hand , his touch scorching her. She tried to pull back . . . tried not to welcome the feel of his skin against hers . . . but he held firm.

 To counteract the effect , she glared at him. " I wouldn't have cut it at all if you hadn't rang the doorbell just as I was picking up the shards of glass. "

 "Next time I'll leave you to bleed to death, "he said brusquely , undoing the tissue to reveal the injured finger. He scowled as he examined it " There's a lot of blood, but I think you'll get away without stitches. " He raised his head , his blue eyes stabbing her. " Any other injuries I should know about? "

 Tell him no.

 But the truth skipped out . "Only a bump in the head. "

 "Show me. "

 She winced where she felt the lump. " It's nothing, really. It's—"

 "Bleeding ,"he growled, moving closer touching her head.

 She swallowed convulsively. " I'll be fine. "

 " Where's your first aid kit? "

 "In the kitchen, but—"

 " Right. " he cupped her elbow and started her forehead with him." let's take a proper look at it."

 Her skin continue to scorch at where he touched." Mr Flynn , I'm sure you've got better things to do than play the role of a doctor with me ." she said as they sidestepped the shards of glass.

 He shot her a masculine look that coiled tension inside her. His thoughts didn't need to be said out loud to fill the silence that stretched between them.

 As soon as they reached the kitchen she quickly moved away from him and took a small box out of a cupboard to place on the bench. He followed her,then began searching through the contents. Taking advantage of the moment she stepped back grateful the kitchen was large and airy and far less intimate than two people Standing in a doorway.

 "Move that stool over there and sit under the light," he ordered. " I'll be able to see better."

 That was what she was afraid of . But her heart thundering against her damn ribs,she did what he said anyway . Better to get it over with so he'd leave sooner than later.

 He came toward her,the ball of cotton in his hand contrasting with the tan of his skin. And then he stood behind her, bringing a very male scent with him . She'd noticed it when he walked in but now the scent intensified like a potent wine ,ready to lull her into blissful surrender.

 She jumped when he brushed a lock of her blond hair aside and began to dab at the cut. His touch was gentle yet probing, the way a man's touch should be . Would he be the same in bed? Oh, yes, he'd known how to turn a woman on.

 "Mr Flynn, —"

 " Alexandre, "he said suddenly in a rough voice.

 She ignored that . "Mr Flynn, I think—"

 "How long will it take you to pack? "

 That pulled her thoughts up short . "Pack?"

 "For Hawaii . I have to go there for business. My jet's on standby. We can leave within the hour. "

 "Hawaii?" She spun to face him, barely wincing as his fingers brushed her scalp . Dear God , what was he saying?

His dark eyes watched her with a knowing look in them." I have a house there,our privacy will be assured."

It fell into place then. He expected her to go away with him as payment for the loan. God ,did he really think she would do that?

" I don't need any privacy," she choked , strangely hurt, " I don't intend to go away with you ." A burst of anger hit her. "Anyway ,just who the hell do you think you fucking are? You snap your fingers and I'm to drop everything? Sorry. Your women friends may do that but I have a mind of my own."

His eyes hardened." oh ,come now, Sarah who are you trying to fool?"

She straightened her shoulders... Oh hell.